Portable, externally mounted device for aircraft to provide user selected readings of airspeed, pressure, temperature, orientation, heading, acceleration, and angular rate

Abstract

A portable, externally mounted device for aircraft used to provide user selectable readings of airspeed, pressure, temperature, orientation, heading, acceleration, and angular rate is disclosed. The device is self-contained and wireless and is portable from aircraft to aircraft. The device is externally mounted on the aircraft.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A data sensing and collection device comprising:
 a) an aerodynamically configured housing mounted to a stalk adjustable in at least one axis wherein the stalk is adhesively affixed to an exterior aspect of a flying machine and the housing is not attached to the exterior aspect of the flying machine; 
 b) wherein said housing contains an electronic device comprising:
 a) a battery; 
 b) a differential pressure sensor and attached pitot tube; 
 c) a barometric altimeter (pressure sensor); 
 d) a temperature sensor; 
 e) a gyroscope; 
 f) an accelerometer; 
 g) a magnetometer; 
 h) a microcontroller and storage facility; and 
 i) a radio transceiver. 
 
 
     
     
       2. A data sensing and collection device of  claim 1  wherein said battery is rechargeable and further comprises a battery recharging port. 
     
     
       3. A data sensing and collection device of  claim 1  wherein said radio transceiver supports the Bluetooth transmission protocol. 
     
     
       4. A data sensing and collection device of  claim 1  wherein said radio transceiver supports the Wi-Fi transmission protocol. 
     
     
       5. A data sensing and collection device of  claim 1  further comprising a GPS receiver. 
     
     
       6. A data sensing and collection device of  claim 1  further comprising a digital compass. 
     
     
       7. A method of monitoring flight data comprising the steps of:
 a) affixing the stalk attached to a data sensing and collection device to the exterior surface of a flying machine; 
 b) aligning the stalk such that the pitot tube extending from the data sensing and collection device is aligned parallel to the direction of flight; 
 c) activating a software application running on a cellular telephone or tablet computer; and 
 d) selecting the type of data to be collected from the data sensing and collection device and displayed on the cellular telephone or tablet computer. 
 
     
     
       8. A method of monitoring flight data of  claim 7  wherein said data comprises airspeed. 
     
     
       9. A method of monitoring flight data of  claim 7  wherein said data comprises altitude. 
     
     
       10. A method of monitoring flight data of  claim 7  wherein said data comprises temperature. 
     
     
       11. A method of monitoring flight data of  claim 7  wherein said data comprises orientation. 
     
     
       12. A method of monitoring flight data of  claim 7  wherein said data comprises heading. 
     
     
       13. A method of monitoring flight data of  claim 7  wherein said data comprises acceleration. 
     
     
       14. A method of monitoring flight data of  claim 7  wherein said data comprises angular rate. 
     
     
       15. A data sensing and collection device of  claim 1  further comprising a second differential pressure sensor with two atmospherically connected input tubes terminating outside the housing. 
     
     
       16. A data sensing and collection device of  claim 1  further comprising an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) receiver. 
     
     
       17. A data sensing and collection device of  claim 1  further comprising an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transmitter.